FOR LOVE'S SAKE
Philemon 8-9 NKJV
8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—
As I wrote the title of this devotional, I thought of the phrase "for Pete's sake." I grew up saying that. Something unexpected would happen, and I would exclaim, "Oh, for Pete's sake." But until today, I never knew who Pete was and why I was evoking his name. Ah, but through the magic of an internet search engine, I found the following. "For Pete's sake" originated as a substitute for "for Christ's (or God's) sake" and other similar expressions—as using a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter's name instead was considered less offensive." So now you know. I am not sure if that expression is used much today, but if you hear it, you can drop some knowledge.
For love's sake was the expression penned by Paul as he wrote to a close brother in the Lord, Philemon. Philemon was someone who Paul considered a fellow worker for the cause of Christ. Philemon was also a slaveholder, and Paul's letter is about a runaway slave, Onesimus. Evidently, Paul had reached Onesimus in prison and led him to the Lord. Onesimus was now not only a runaway slave but a brother in Christ. Paul is writing to ask Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him back. At one time, Onesimus was unprofitable to Philemon but had become a blessing to Paul during his prison stay.
In this short letter, we see Paul say that he could have commanded Philemon to treat Onesimus right. Paul knew something about his authority in Christ that we don't discuss much today. Some of Paul's statements in his letters indicate that he walked in a revelation of his authority in Christ that goes far beyond where we are in our current culture. Paul could have commanded, but for love's sake, he appealed to Philemon. A few verses further, Paul said he would have preferred to have Onesimus stay and help him out, but working out of love, he would not take advantage of Philemon. Anything that Philemon did for him, Paul wanted it to be voluntary, not under compulsion. Paul offered to pay for anything Onesimus owed to Philemon. And Paul stated that Philemon owed Paul his own life. We can take this to mean it was Paul who was responsible for leading Philemon to the Lord.
Paul concludes his letter expressing confidence that Philemon will do even more than Paul asked. And that Philemon's obedience will give Paul joy and refreshing in the Lord. At face value, it appears Paul is selling his case, but I never believe Paul used manipulation to get Philemon to do the right thing. He trusted Philemon's heart for God and his heart for Paul.
APPLICATION
Here is a good picture of love. Paul could have commanded, but instead, he appealed. There was no force used. The divine kind of love does not force people to act.
As a child, I was told to give my grandmother a kiss. I really didn't want to do it, but my parents made me as a show of good Southern manners. So, I reluctantly gave Grandma a kiss. But it sure wasn't out of love. I was commanded. My parents were the authority in my life at that point and obeying them was the right thing to do. Later in life, I would always hug and kiss Grandma out of love voluntarily.
The Amplified Classic Bible says, "Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking;" So for love's sake, appeal, don't force.
PRAYER
Lord, show me what it means to walk in Your love; Your strength.